ASHES OF HER LOVE

"She lost everything in one night—home, safety, love… but she walked into the storm and found a hand willing to hold her "

The walls of the sitting room were lined with silence—thick, heavy, and almost choking. Outside, the sky grumbled with dark clouds, signaling the arrival of an angry storm. Inside, Mia moved quietly, sweeping the floor and wiping down the glass table, careful not to knock over the porcelain vases her mother adored. Her hands moved mechanically, her body tired from days of relentless chores. Her eyes, however, remained alert—always watching, always bracing.

The front door creaked open, and her stepfather stepped in.

Mr. Williams. Her stepfather.

He was supposed to be at work.

Mia's body tensed instinctively, her grip tightening on the rag she held. She forced herself not to show fear as she straightened up.

"You're back early," she said softly, avoiding his gaze.

He didn't answer immediately. His eyes scanned her from head to toe—lingering too long, too hungrily. Mia noticed it. She always noticed it. But this time, there was something different in his stare. A gleam. A hunger that made her skin crawl.

"Where's your mother?" he asked, closing the door behind him with a firm click.

Mia backed up a little, giving herself space. "She went out… shopping. Said she needed to buy something."

He nodded slowly, then glanced around the house. "And the children?"

"In their rooms," she said, her voice tighter now. "Probably playing games or watching cartoons."

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. That was all he needed to hear.

In one quick step, he closed the distance between them. Mia turned her back to continue wiping the table, but before she could realize, strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind—tight, forceful.

She gasped and struggled, panic flashing through her. "What are you doing? Let go of me!"

But he didn't.

He pressed himself against her, whispering something incoherent, his breath hot and vile on her neck. His hands began to roam, greedy and unrelenting. Mia let out a scream, but it was muffled as his palm clamped down over her mouth.

She thrashed beneath his grip, terror exploding in her chest. He was stronger—too strong—and determined. Her screams were drowned beneath his hand, her voice reduced to pitiful whimpers.

Her mind screamed in protest. This couldn't be happening. Not here. Not again.

Then instinct kicked in.

She bit down—hard.

He let out a sharp growl of pain, yanking his hand away as she spun around and shoved him with all the strength she had. He stumbled back, cursing, but she didn't wait—she ran to the door.

Locked.

He had locked it.

He smirked now, as if amused. As if it were a game. "No one will come to save you."

Mia's hands shook as she banged on the door, her voice hoarse from screaming. "Help! Somebody, help me!"

From upstairs, the sound of cartoons continued. Her siblings couldn't hear her over the noise.

"Stop this, please—!" she cried, backing into the corner.

But then—footsteps.

Rushing footsteps.

"Daddy!" Lily's voice rang out as the little girl stormed down the stairs. "What are you doing?!"

Mr. Williams turned, startled, his smile faltering as his youngest daughter caught him mid-act. He quickly straightened his clothes, forcing a chuckle. "Ah—nothing, sweetheart. Just playing with your sister."

But the darkness in his eyes hadn't vanished.

Lily's gaze darted between them—between her sister's wild eyes and their father's forced calm. She didn't understand, not fully. But she felt it. Something terrible had just happened.

"Are you okay?" Lily asked, facing the trembling Mia.

Mia adjusted her blouse, trembling. "I'm okay," she whispered to Lily as she rushed to her room.

Lily hesitated, then nodded and retreated—casting one more glance back.

Moments later, the front door opened.

Her mother was home.

Relief washed over Mia—for just a second.

She ran to her, desperate. "Mom—Mom, something happened! He—he tried to—forced himself on me!"

But before she could finish, her mother's hand landed across her face with a sharp, echoing slap.

"You ungrateful little thing!" her mother screamed. "How dare you say such things about my husband?!"

Mia's head whipped to the side, the sting of the slap leaving a white-hot mark across her cheek. She stumbled back, eyes wide.

"He tried to touch me," Mia cried, voice cracking. "I didn't do anything! I was cleaning, and he—"

Another slap.

"Stop lying!" her mother shrieked. "Always trying to ruin this family! Always looking for pity! Maybe if you didn't dress like a harlot—to seduce him!"

"I'm your daughter!" Mia shouted. "I'm your blood! I was yours before you married him. Before you had the others. Why won't you believe me?!"

Her mother's face twisted with rage and something uglier—shame.

She raised her hand again, this time landing a backhand across Mia's mouth. "You're not my daughter. You are trying to seduce my husband. I wouldn't have wanted to give birth to you with your wretched father."

Mia fell to the floor, blood tasting metallic in her mouth.

"I don't care where you go," her mother hissed. "Die for all I care. Just don't ever come back to this house."

She dragged Mia to the door and shoved her into the pouring rain. Mia stumbled into the mud, barefoot, drenched. The door slammed shut behind her as she wept, holding her hot and red cheeks.

Silence again.

Except for the storm.

—

She walked.

No direction. No shelter.

Just rain, and cold, and heartbreak.

Tears poured down her cheeks, but they were indistinguishable from the rain.

She wandered until her feet brought her to a quiet corner of the cemetery—the only place that still felt safe.

She found his grave.

Her father's.

The only man who had ever truly loved her.

She collapsed at the foot of the headstone, gripping the stone like it might bring her comfort. The name engraved there blurred through her tears.

"Why didn't you take me with you?" she sobbed. "Why did you leave me with her? WHY? You don't want me also? Is that why you left me in this world? Am I a jinx? Do you also hate me to the extent that you had to die just to get rid of me?"

She curled against the grave, trembling, rain soaking her bones, her voice breaking into sobs. "They all hate me… she threw me out like I was trash… and he—he tried to—" Her voice cracked again. "You said you'd always protect me… where are you now? You are in the grave sleeping while I have no roof to cover my head. I never did anything bad… just that I was given birth to!"

"Wake up, Jameeeeeees!" she called her father's name. "Wake up and take me with you! I'm tired. Who should I go to? Where should I go to without you? Why is it my fault? WHYYYYYYYYYYY?"

She screamed into the storm as she rested her head on his grave, banging her hand hard on it and sobbing.

No answer came.

Only the wind.

Later, after sobbing, she left there—walking alone at the roadside with nowhere to go.

Later—how long, she didn't know—headlights cut through the rain.

A bicycle screeched to a stop a few feet from her.

"Mia?"

She looked up, dazed.

Jake.

He jumped off his bike, stunned. "Mia, what the hell…? What are you doing out here like this?!"

She tried to stand, but her legs gave way. Jake rushed to catch her.

"You're freezing! You're soaked!"

He pulled off his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders.

Her lips quivered, but no words came. Her eyes were hollow.

Jake didn't ask any more questions.

He just held her.

Then, silently, he led her home.

—

His house was small but full of warmth—not rich in wealth like that of the Williams, but rich in love.

Jake's mother opened the door and gasped. "Jake! What happened?! Who is this?"

"She needs help," Jake said simply. "Can we… can we just let her in first? I will explain later."

His mother nodded and stepped aside.

The warmth of the house hit Mia like sunlight.

His little sister peeked from the hallway—wide-eyed, silent.

His father stood up from the couch, his brows furrowed. "What's going on?"

Jake shook his head. "Not now. Please. Just for tonight."

His father studied Mia for a moment—seeing the bruises, the swollen cheek, the damp clothes—and gave a small nod. "Bathroom's to the left. Towels are clean."

Mia stood in place, overwhelmed.

"Come," Jake's mom said gently, taking her hand. "Let's get you something dry."

—

That night, she ate warm rice and stew in silence. She barely tasted anything. Her eyes kept darting around the room, afraid someone might yell. Or slap her. Or throw her out again.

But no one did.

Jake's little sister offered her a sweet quietly under the table.

Jake just sat close, keeping her company.

After dinner, he led her to a small storage room at the back of their compound.

It was dusty, cluttered with old chairs and plastic coolers—but dry. And safe.

"You can sleep here tonight," Jake said. "I'll bring you something in the morning."

She looked around. It wasn't much.

But to her—it was a palace.

"Why are you helping me?" she whispered.

Jake's eyes held hers. "Because someone should," he said as he walked out.

That night, Mia curled up on a thin mat Jake had laid out for her.

Her body ached.

Her heart hurt worse.

She closed her eyes—but sleep didn't come. Instead came memories.

The man's hands.

Her mother's voice screaming.

The sound of the door slamming shut.

Her father's grave.

Her fists clenched as silent tears slid down her cheeks.

Outside the door, Jake sat on the porch step. He heard her crying—but didn't go in.

He just left a cup of warm water and a folded blanket outside the door before walking away.

—

Morning light broke through the cracked window.

Mia stirred, eyes puffy but dry.

She opened the door—and Jake was waiting.

He smiled gently. "You okay?"

She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat.

"Where will you go?" he asked.

"I don't know."

Jake looked down, thinking. "If you need to come back… I'll find a way to talk to my parents about it. And I'm sure they will listen."

She paused.

Then gave a small, quiet smile—the first in a long time.

"Thank you, Jake."

And for the first time in days, Mia took a breath that didn't hurt.

"I need to walk out first… I hope your parents listen and allow me. Because I have no one again in this world." Tears drilling from her eyes as she walks away in silence